Prosecutors in Washington state have revealed shocking details in the case of a newborn's death, alleging that the infant's mother filmed an "upbeat" TikTok video from the hospital bathroom while her son fought for his life. Alyssa Jade Vanderbeck, 19, and the child's father, Mark Anthony Labaco Clamor, 21, are facing felony charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with the death of their 7-week-old son.
Hospital Tragedy and Social Media Post
According to court documents obtained by KOMO News, the couple called 911 on March 4 to report their baby was not breathing. The infant was rushed to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, where doctors discovered severe injuries, including brain bleeds and oxygen deprivation. Investigators stated that on March 8, while the baby was being treated for life-threatening injuries, Vanderbeck posted a TikTok video dancing in the bathroom of her son's hospital room, with "upbeat" music playing. The baby, identified as N.C., died on March 9.
Medical Evidence and Abuse Allegations
A social worker alerted law enforcement to possible abuse, and prosecutors told the court natural causes had been ruled out. "This is not a case of SIDS," a prosecutor said during the couple's arraignment last week. "This was ongoing abuse of a vulnerable infant." Medical evaluations found the child suffered injuries consistent with violent shaking or blunt force trauma, including subdural hemorrhages, retinal hemorrhaging, and brain damage. An autopsy determined the preliminary cause of death to be homicide due to abusive head trauma.
Parental Statements and Delayed Response
Pierce County prosecutors allege the couple waited about an hour after noticing their son was in "significant distress" before calling 911 on March 4, contacting friends and family first. In an interview with the Lakewood Police Department, Clamor allegedly told investigators the baby had been fussy when he tried to feed him and admitted to handling the child roughly. He said he picked the infant up in a "jerking motion" and recalled saying, "Why you crying boy?" when he saw the baby's head "jerked back pretty hard."
Vanderbeck also told investigators that the same day, she woke as Clamor was putting the baby down to sleep, and after she took a shower, she heard the baby making "grunting noises" and said the baby appeared "unresponsive." She added "that she and Clamor tried to rouse N.C. by stimulating him physically, which included shaking him in a panic." They admitted they took videos of their son and sent them to family and friends, asking for advice, before calling 911. "The videos were filmed in multiple locations in their residence and showed the child in serious distress," the affidavit states.
Unusual Demeanor and Social Media Activity
Police responded to the hospital on March 5, where a social worker said the baby "was not expected to survive," and his parents had gone home. When they returned the next day, an officer noted that they "found their demeanor to be unusual considering the gravity of the suspected offense and the condition their child was in." Investigators later uncovered social media activity that raised further concern, including Vanderbeck's TikTok video from the hospital bathroom the day before he died. The most recent video on the platform shows Vanderbeck cradling her baby in a hospital bed hooked up to tubes and machines, with a caption about grief and loss.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Vanderbeck is charged with second-degree murder and criminal mistreatment, while Clamor is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree assault of a child, according to KING news outlet. The pair were arraigned last Thursday wearing dark green anti-suicide vests and ordered not to contact each other. It is unclear if either has legal representation. Both Vanderbeck and Clamor are being held at the Pierce County Jail, each on a $1 million bond.
